Ask Jersey City schoolkids who their favorite star athletes are and you’ll hear names like Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks or New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, but the New Jersey Professional Golfers Association is hoping to change some of those answers to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

The NJPGA held an interactive conference with about 30 Jersey City physical education teachers Wednesday afternoon at Franklin L. Williams Middle School to educate teachers about the “Golf in Schools” program, which was started in 2008 and seeks to introduce golf to schoolkids.

“This is something we want to see come to fruition,” said Chris Hunt, the NJPGA’s assist””ant executive director. “We want to help teachers learn the curriculum so they can adapt it into their programs.”

Hunt said representatives from 16 Jersey City public schools were on hand for Wednesday’s event, during which teachers were able to use SNAG (Starting New At Golf) equipment first hand and learn the fundamentals of golf.

“The kids love golf,” said Carol Maioran, physical education teacher at Jotham W. Wakeman School 6, on St. Paul’s Avenue. “(Golf) is something different and they always ask me when we’re going to do it again.”

Hunt and the NJPGA, located in Piscataway, aim to revitalize the Golf in Schools program in New Jersey by providing a local anchor to help aid teachers. The initiative was started in 2008 by the Florida-based First Tee golf program, added Hunt.

The program has already reached 168 schools in New Jersey, including schools in Newark, Paterson, Clifton and Edison.

Wednesday’s event was a chance for teachers unfamiliar with golf to learn the skills needed to incorporate the game into their curriculum.

“I’m glad they have provided something different for the children to do,” said teacher Valeria Craig-Ndiaye, who added she has never played golf. “This is something that forces them to use their body and their mind. The kids love it.”

Maioran said she hadn’t played golf until it was introduced into the curriculum by the First Tee golf program in 2008.

“This introduces the kids to a whole new culture,” Maioran said. “This gives the chance to see another game and see what else is out there.”

Hunt said that golf could be integrated into Jersey City school curriculums as soon as next month.